Description
Hearty ham and leek pie delivers comfort straight from British kitchens, blending rich flavors and flaky pastry. Savory ingredients meld together, creating a soul-warming dish you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 400 grams (14 ounces) cooked ham, diced
- 2 large leeks, trimmed, sliced and rinsed
- 375 grams (13 ounces) puff pastry, thawed if frozen
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 300 milliliters (10 fluid ounces) chicken stock
- 100 milliliters (3.4 fluid ounces) full-fat creme fraiche
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons plain flour, plus extra for rolling
- 1 large egg yolk, beaten
Instructions
- Sauté leeks, onions, and garlic in oil over medium heat until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour into the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously and cooking for 10-12 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and create a golden base.
- Gradually pour in stock, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, thickening sauce.
- Incorporate diced ham, rich creme fraiche, and tangy mustard into the sauce, blending flavors thoroughly and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Allow filling to cool slightly, which helps prevent soggy pastry and makes handling easier.
- Roll out pastry, cutting a strip to line the pie dish rim for a secure seal.
- Pour cooled filling into prepared dish, then cover with pastry lid, carefully crimping edges to create a decorative and tight seal.
- Make a small steam vent in the center of the pastry lid using a sharp knife.
- Brush pastry surface with egg yolk for a golden, glossy finish.
- Refrigerate pie for 15-20 minutes to help pastry firm up and maintain shape.
- Bake in preheated oven at 220°C for 35-40 minutes until pastry is deeply golden and filling bubbles.
- Rest pie for 5-7 minutes before serving to allow filling to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Select leeks with firm, white and light green parts for the best flavor and texture.
- Use leftover holiday ham or opt for store-bought deli ham to make preparation quicker.
- Consider swapping creme fraiche with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version of the pie.
- Gluten-free option: Replace regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 35 mins
- Cook Time: 35-45 mins (baking)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 499 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg